School board candidates' funds aren't public

State bill aims to require disclosure

By Lindsey Anderson/landerson@lcsun-news.com

Posted:
02/03/2013 03:18:27 PM MST

LAS CRUCES — Big, bright signs for school board candidates line many streets up and down the state, just days out from the Feb. 5 election. But New Mexicans will never know the cost of those glossy signs or who paid for them. Or the "Vote for me" websites. Or the business cards and flyers and phone call-makers.

State law does not require school board candidates to disclose their campaign contributions or expenditures, unlike most city council candidates, as well as county and state campaigners.

A state bill seeks to change that.

The "School District Campaign Reporting Act," introduced by Reps. James Smith and Daniel Ivey-Soto, would require those who have officially declared their candidacy or received or spent more than $200 dollars to electronically report their campaign finances four times during the election cycle.

It would apply to school districts with more than 12,000 students enrolled and community colleges.

Education Secretary-designate Hanna Skandera said she supports the efforts for more accountability and transparency.

"They're serving and making big decisions for our kids," she said of board members.

The New Mexico School Boards Association opposes the bill.

"In many cases, we're struggling to get candidates as it is," Executive Director Joe Guillen said.

The bill requires electronic reporting, which may be difficult in rural areas, he said, and board members don't receive a salary or benefits.

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"We're not against full disclosure," he said. "It's just a cumbersome requirement."

Money spent, received varies

Guillen estimated 80 to 90 percent of candidates don't receive any financial contributions and most spend under $250, though larger districts likely see more of both.

"No one's going to spend over $200 in Deming," Deming candidate Ron Wolfe said, who printed his own flyers and networked to campaign. "But I could see in a big city like Albuquerque or Santa Fe or Las Cruces where more money would be spent."

The Albuquerque school board passed a resolution a few years back asking candidates to voluntarily disclose contributions and spending. Most candidates comply, district communications specialist John Miller said.

The majority of Albuquerque candidates reported fewer than $500 in contributions, though two candidates received between $1,000 and $3,000 and one received more than $4,000, according to their Jan. 22 reports.

Four candidates reported no spending, while two spent less than $1,000 and three spent between $2,000 and $3,000.

Las Cruces incumbent Maria Flores wouldn't give an exact amount, but said she has spent more than $1,000 on newspaper ads, canvassing and signs this election. Most of her contributions come from her own pocket and a few from friends and supporters, she said.

Silver City board member Debbie Eggleston didn't spend any money campaigning. Deming incumbent William Anderson spent more than $1,000 on his first campaign against a "strong incumbent," he said. Last time around, he spent $175.

Candidates divided on bill

Some candidates support the bill, citing transparency and accountability; others say it requires too much work for an unpaid position.

"When I first read it, I thought, 'Board members don't raise that much money,'" Flores said. "But full disclosure is never bad."